A Retreat Day led by the Rev. Lyn G. Brakeman, Episcopal priest associate at St. John’s Charlestown, bereavement counselor, and spiritual director, at Miramar Retreat Center in Duxbury, Massachusetts, Sat. Nov. 7, 10am-4pm,

Lunch is  included. The cost for the day is $40 with a $15 non-refundable deposit required. To register contact Miramar at 781-585-2482 or online www.miramarretreat.org.

Loss is part of life. In fact, where there is love there is loss. Grief feelings accompany any loss and vary according to the nature of the loss. Mourning hurts. Mourning hurts even more when you try to avoid it. Many people feel helpless under the weight of grief, yet there is actually something you can do. Understanding the course of mourning and its possible complications gives you a map by which you can participate in the tasks of mourning, rather than shame yourself, isolate in confusion, or sink into passivity or spiritual defeat.This is not a reiteration of Kubler Ross’s stages of bereavement, but an active approach through education, prayer, biblical story, poetry and conversation. The day is for anyone who has questions or concerns about grief. Please bring writing materials. There will be quiet time for prayer and time for individual spiritual direction as desired.